LA CROSSE, Wis. - State and federal lawmakers who support abortion rights can no longer receive Holy Communion in the Diocese of La Crosse, Bishop Raymond Burke ordered in a decree made public Thursday.

Priests of parishes where such lawmakers attend Mass must withhold communion from them until the lawmakers publicly renounce their support of abortion rights, Burke said in the decree, posted on the diocese's Web site.

Burke also has written letters to three Roman Catholic lawmakers, telling them they risked their faith if they continued to vote for measures he termed "anti-life," including abortion and euthanasia.

Burke was named archbishop of St. Louis in December and will be installed there later this month. Pope John Paul (news - web sites) II has yet to name Burke's replacement.

State Sen. Julie Lassa, a Democrat, received a letter from Burke and has said she would not let religion decide how she serves her constituents.

Judie Brown, president of the Washington, D.C.-based American Life League, praised Burke and called his move a "historic first step forward in dealing with the problem of pro-abortion Catholic political figures."

The Diocese of La Crosse is home to more than 200,000 Catholics in 169 parishes in west-central Wisconsin, according to its Web site. ___

Thans for the ping! Heard this on EWTN last night. From the LaCrosse web site:

The Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, announced Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2003, that Bishop Raymond Leo Burke, Bishop of La Crosse, has been named as the new Archbishop of St. Louis. He will be installed as Archbishop on January 26, 2004.

Bishop Burke has issued a notification for Catholic Politicians (pdf file is linked on the right side of their web site)

This is long overdue. I've been praying for a hierarchy with a spine since the 70's.

But, am I the only one who sees a negative backlash coming from this action? Don't misunderstand - I am thrilled a bishop finally took a stand besides just mouthing some pro-life words.

But due in part to its own inaction on important moral issues, the Church has lost so much of its moral teaching authority in recent years. I guess I see a lot of nastiness being hurled at it by the pro-abortion politicians. I hope any backlash that comes will be of short duration.

It's great that the bishop is taking this action against abortion advocates, but how long will it be before the libs demand that the same action be taken against Catholic governors who sign death warrants? Could Bishop Galleone (St. Augustine) be pressured to withold Communion from Jeb Bush?

Priests of parishes where such lawmakers attend Mass must withhold communion from them until the lawmakers publicly renounce their support of abortion rights, Burke said in the decree

Thank God!

Some will argue that this is Church interference with political matters. Generally, public policy isn't within the competence of the Church, or more accurately, within the infallible teaching authority of the Church.

But abortion as a political issue isn't comparable to other matters of public policy, like Social Security, welfare, environmental regulation and the like. These issues fall within the realm of prudential judgement, and should generally be left to statesmen to decide. Abortion is intrinsically evil, and is never morally permissible (except in the rare case where a mother's life may be endangered).

Could Bishop Galleone (St. Augustine) be pressured to withold Communion from Jeb Bush?

Possibly. I think the most recent edition of the Catechism says that the death penalty should be avoided when it is practically possible to incarcerate prisoners for life without risking public safety. Think "supermax" prison. It would be hard for Bush to argue that that's impossible.

Don't serve supporters of abortion rights, euthanasia, Burke says By TOM HEINEN theinen@journalsentinel.comPosted: Jan. 8, 2004 In what one national group called an unprecedented action, La Crosse Bishop Raymond L. Burke has issued a document that says Catholic legislators who support abortion rights or euthanasia should not present themselves to receive Communion and should be refused if they do so.

Burke's Notice

Here is an excerpt from Bishop Raymond Burke's notification to Catholic legislators: A Catholic legislator who supports procured abortion or euthanasia, after knowing the teaching of the Church, commits a manifestly grave sin which is a cause of the most serious scandal to others. There, universal Church law provides that such persons 'are not to be admitted to Holy Communion.'

Burke's four-paragraph "Notification" was published in the weekly diocesan newspaper Thursday and was posted on the diocesan Web site, along with a 10-page pastoral letter titled "On the Dignity of Human Life and Civic Responsibility."

Citing Vatican doctrine, canon law and teachings by the U.S. bishops, Burke says in the notice that it is his duty as bishop "to explain, persuade, correct and admonish those in leadership positions who contradict the Gospel of life through their action and policies."

The notice says: "Catholic legislators who are members of the faithful of the Diocese of La Crosse and who continue to support procured abortion or euthanasia may not present themselves to receive Holy Communion. They are not to be admitted to Holy Communion, should they present themselves, until such time as they publicly renounce their support of these most unjust practices."

Judie Brown, president of the American Life League in Stafford, Va., said of Burke's broad ban, "This is the first time this has ever happened in the history of the pro-life movement, and I am so grateful to Bishop Burke."

Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz of Lincoln, Neb., a former Wauwatosa pastor, excommunicated Catholics in his diocese in 1996 for belonging to groups that support abortion rights and the right to die, but he did not target legislators, Brown said.

Brown's group launched a "Crusade for the Defense of Our Catholic Church" last year, in which it began naming Catholic politicians who support abortion rights and calling for bishops to crack down on them.

Gov. Jim Doyle is among 14 Wisconsin officials on the group's list. Doyle has said that he was obligated to listen to all the state's residents, and that a group in Virginia should not have much say about what is done in Wisconsin.

Burke's pastoral letter says Catholic politicians cannot defend voting for an unjust law, whether it supports abortion rights or an action such as racial discrimination, "on the grounds that they are following their constituency or the will of the 'majority.' "

Pope John Paul II named Burke archbishop-elect of St. Louis on Dec. 2. An installation is scheduled for Jan. 26.

Burke sparked a national church-state debate two days after his appointment, when it became known that he had sent private letters last year to three unidentified Catholic officials from Wisconsin: a member of Congress and two state legislators. The letters warned them that they risked their spiritual well-being if they continued to support "anti-life" legislation involving issues such as abortion rights.

One of the legislators was state Sen. Julie Lassa (D-Stevens Point).

U.S. Rep. David Obey (D-Wis.), whose name is on the American Life League's list, said last month that he welcomed clergy to influence him on issues that affect people of all religions. He did not say whether Burke had written to him.

When it became known that he had sent the private letters, Burke said in reply to a question that Catholic politicians in the diocese who refused to mend their ways would be told not to present themselves to receive Communion.

What he did not indicate was that he had signed the pastoral letter and the notification Nov. 23, before his new papal appointment limited his role in La Crosse to that of diocesan administrator.

The Catholic Times diocesan newspaper reported Thursday that "Bishop Burke affirmed that both the letter and the notification carry the full weight of his authority as bishop of the diocese."

How Burke's notification, which was issued on diocesan letterhead, will play out was unclear Thursday night. Neither Burke nor his spokeswoman could be reached for comment.

Father Robert Cook, pastor of Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Viroqua, said the notification in the newspaper was the first he had heard of the bishop's directing priests to refuse Communion.

Father Richard Gilles, a canon lawyer and Burke's chief of staff, said: "That is a direct statement to the priests. They have an obligation to not give them (politicians) Holy Communion. But I think any pastor who has any sensitivity or common sense would sit down in private with these people and dialogue and talk to them and ask them not to come to Holy Communion."

Gilles said Burke's document was not as strong as a decree because it essentially reminded legislators and priests of the teachings of the church without making new law. But Burke goes a step further and removes doubt by specifically applying church law and teachings to Catholic politicians, and by saying that those who continue to support abortion rights after such warnings should be denied Communion, Gilles said.

Gilles said that Burke had previously communicated with the pastors of the three legislators who received letters from Burke last year.

On the Web: www.dioceseoflacrosse.com

19
posted on 01/09/2004 4:46:34 AM PST
by ninenot
(So many cats, so few recipes)

But, am I the only one who sees a negative backlash coming from this action?

No, you're not. But, since it will come from the same sources as so much other dissent...okay, it's going to set up an us vs. them adversarial relationship with a few orders and parishes. And the press will play it up, too.

I've also heard it said that if the bishops deny Communion to pro-abort politicians then it is only fair to do the same to politicians who support the war in Iraq and even those who participate in the war since the Vatican said it was not a just war. I'm sure the folks who support this type of thinking will be coming out of the woodwork.

Bishop Burke has also made the Ignatius Press catechetical series mandatory in all LaCrosse schools.

Whoa! That will solve the problem of poor catechisis in both the kids and the catechists. That series is phenomenal. I hope Bishop Burke and Bishop Hughes are friendly because the Ignatius Press series would solve all problems in catechetics that we have here in the USA if it was implemented in the dioceses. Plus it would be nice if we financially supported Catholic publishers instead of the secular publishers.

St. Louis' incoming archbishop has ordered priests in his diocese in La Crosse, Wis., to refuse communion to state and federal lawmakers who are Roman Catholic and support abortion rights or euthanasia.

Under Bishop Raymond Burke's "notification," made public Thursday, priests of parishes where lawmakers attend Mass must withhold communion from them until they publicly "renounce" their support of abortion rights and euthanasia.

"Catholic legislators, who are members of the faithful of the Diocese of La Crosse and who continue to support procured abortion or euthanasia, may not present themselves to receive Holy Communion," Burke wrote. "They are not to be admitted to Holy Communion, should they present themselves, until such time as they publicly renounce their support of these most unjust practices."

The decree was dated Nov. 23, nine days before Burke was named as the new archbishop in St. Louis and 11 days before it became public that Burke had sent letters to three Catholic politicians in his diocese. In those letters, Burke told the politicians that if they didn't change their positions on abortion, he would ask them not to present themselves to receive communion because they would not be Catholics in good standing.

In a letter Aug. 29 to Wisconsin state Sen. Julie Lassa, Burke wrote, "It is a grave contradiction to assume a public role and present yourself as a credible Catholic when your actions on the fundamental issues of human life are not in accord with Church teaching."

Burke, who is to be installed as the St. Louis archbishop on Jan. 26, acknowledged at a news conference last month in Wisconsin that he wrote the earlier letters to the politicians suggesting they not seek communion. But he did not mention his decree barring them from doing so.

Burke previously has said that if necessary, he would send similar letters to Catholic politicians in the St. Louis Archdiocese who are out of step with the church's positions. But it was unclear whether he plans to issue a decree here. Burke could not be reached for comment Thursday.

Most Catholic politicians in the St. Louis area have not been at odds - at least publicly - with the church's position on abortion and euthanasia.

Missouri Auditor Claire McCaskill, a Catholic convert who is challenging Gov. Bob Holden for the Democratic nomination for governor, is probably the state's most recognized Catholic in favor of abortion rights.

McCaskill declined to discuss Burke's notification Thursday.

"I prefer not to react to something put in writing hundreds of miles away and would like to wait until I have an opportunity to visit with the bishop," said McCaskill, who attends Mass at a parish in West County and another in Jefferson City.

St. Louis Archdiocesan Administrator Joseph Naumann, who has been leading the archdiocese since the departure of Archbishop Justin Rigali in October, said he doesn't expect Burke to issue a similar notification immediately.

"Archbishop-elect Burke will have to evaluate the situation here, as it is," Naumann said.

Judie Brown, president of American Life League, a Washington-based anti-abortion group, praised Burke for "using the authority of his office to deal with a grave public scandal."

"By issuing a formal decree barring pro-abortion Catholic politicians from receiving Holy Communion, Bishop Burke is not only enforcing Church law but is courageously stepping forward in defense of innocent human beings," Brown said.

In an interview with the Catholic Times published online Thursday, Burke said the notification became necessary because none of the three lawmakers he wrote to had accepted his invitation for a private meeting to discuss their voting records and that their letters to him showed they were not open to changing their positions.

"After several exchanges of letters, it became clear in all three cases that there was no willingness to conform to the teaching of the Church," he said in the interview. "So the notification became a necessity in order that the faithful in the Diocese not be scandalized, thinking that it is acceptable for a devout Catholic to also be pro-abortion."

The St. Louis Archdiocese has not refused communion to public figures who say they are Catholic and have supported abortion, said Naumann, who Wednesday was named coadjutor archbishop of Kansas City, Kan.

The St. Louis Archdiocese's leaders have never formally written to Catholic legislators to dissuade them from their public support of abortion and euthanasia, said Naumann, who led the archdiocese Pro-Life Committee for many years.

"We are not at that point here," he said.

Naumann said that refusing communion to Catholic lawmakers after they have continued to proclaim themselves Catholic while separating themselves from the "basic Catholic teaching" on abortion and euthanasia is a way to help the individuals, for the good of their own souls, to realize how serious their differences with the church are. The ban also helps more Catholic parishioners in the Wisconsin diocese understand the breach between the church's teaching on abortion and euthanasia, he said.

"It speaks a clear message that these legislators don't define what it means to be Catholic," he said.

Naumann said he was not surprised that Burke has not publicly talked about refusing communion to Catholic officials who differ from the church's position on another human-life issue: capital punishment. The church's stand opposing capital punishment - in nearly all cases - was developed under the current pope, unlike the church's long-standing opposition to abortion and euthanasia, he said.

The leftists can pressure anyone using any propaganda technique they can think of.

Abortion is clearly and unequivocally condemned, capital punishment is not. The Church considers abortion such an egregious violation of the commandment "Thou shalt commit no murder" as to impose automatic excommunication on any who participate in it. The Church considers the death penalty legitimate in extreme cases, but many Catholics (both clergy and laity) are 'uncomfortable' with its widespread use, on prudential grounds.

There's no real traction for the leftists on the death penalty thing, whereas abortion supporting politicians could possibly be considered already excommunicated. One could consider a legislative vote in favour abortion to be participating in the commission of abortion.

As Bishop of the Diocese of La Crosse, I am bound to be "solicitous for all the faithful entrusted to [my] care" (Code of Canon Law, can. 383 Sec.1). With respect to the fundamental responsibility of safeguarding and promoting the respect for human life,it is my duty "to explain, persuade, correct and admonish those in leadership positions who contradict the Gospel of life through their action and policies" (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Living the Gospel of Life: A Challenge to American Catholics [November 1998], n. 29).

His Holiness Pope John Paul II, upholding the constant teaching of the Church, has frequently reminded us that "those who are directly involved in lawmaking bodies have a grave and clear obligation to oppose any law that attacks human life. For them, as for every Catholic, it is impossible to promote such laws or to vote for them" (Doctrinal Note on some questions regarding the participation of Catholics in political life [November 24, 2002], n. 4 Sec.1). A Catholic legislator who supports procured abortion or euthanasia, after knowing the teaching of the Church, commits a manifestly grave sin which is a cause of most serious scandal to others. Therefore, universal Church law provides that such persons "are not to be admitted to Holy Communion" (Code of Canon Law, can. 915).

I hereby call upon Catholic legislators, who are members of the faithful of the Diocese of La Crosse, to uphold the natural and divine law regarding the inviolable dignity of all human life. To fail to do so is a grave public sin and gives scandal to all the faithful. Therefore, in accord with the norm of can. 915, Catholic legislators, who are members of the faithful of the Diocese of La Crosse and who continue to support procured abortion or euthanasia may not present themselves to receive Holy Communion. They are not to be admitted to Holy Communion, should they present themselves, until such time as they publically [sic] renounce their support of these most unjust practices.

I ask for the prayers of all the faithful of the Diocese of La Crosse and of all people of good will within the Diocese of La Crosse, that Catholic legislators who have promoted procured abortion or euthanasia, with the help and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, may undergo a conversion of heart in this most grave matter, so that human life may be protected and fostered in the greatest way possible and these legislators may be admitted once more to receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion.

Given at La Crosse, on the twenty-third day of November, the Solemnity of Christ the King, in the Year of the Lord 2003.

"St. Louis Archdiocesan Administrator Joseph Naumann, who has been leading the archdiocese since the departure of Archbishop Justin Rigali in October, said he doesn't expect Burke to issue a similar notification immediately.

"Archbishop-elect Burke will have to evaluate the situation here, as it is," Naumann said.

The St. Louis Archdiocese's leaders have never formally written to Catholic legislators to dissuade them from their public support of abortion and euthanasia, said Naumann, who led the archdiocese Pro-Life Committee for many years.

"We are not at that point here," he said."

NO, LET'S WAIT ANOTHER 30 YEARS!

Missouri Auditor Claire McCaskill, a Catholic convert who is challenging Gov. Bob Holden for the Democratic nomination for governor, is probably the state's most recognized Catholic in favor of abortion rights

HERE IS THE FIRST OPPORTUNITY!

40
posted on 01/09/2004 8:09:10 AM PST
by franky
(Pray for the souls of the faithful departed. Pray for our own souls to recieve the grace of a happy)

I thought abortion isn't even permissible under those circumstances (the life of the mother)?

I'm pretty sure that the principle of double-effect applies, where a single action results in two effects. If the secondary effect is "less evil" than the primary effect, then the action is permissible.

So in an ectopic pregnancy, for example, the primary action of removing the baby saves the mother's life but also results in the secondary effect of killng the baby. In this case the secondary effect is "the same or less evil" than the primary action.

The mother may choose to give her life for her child in some cases (as when a mother has uterine cancer, for example). But I don't think this is necessary. It would certainly be an example of heroic virtue.

See, this is the little thing I was worried about. There are very few Catholic politicians here at odds with the church on these topics.

I know I am at odds with people on this board over the ay some of this is handled. DOn't get me wrong, I agree with Archbishop Burke, but when it comes to St. Louis, Neumann is right. Things are a little different around here when it comes to discourse.

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